Dry eye disease happens when tears can’t keep the front of the eye lubricated. This can be because of too few tears or poor tear quality.
This can cause many symptoms. These include itchy, gritty eyes.
It can also cause too much tearing. Your vision may be blurry or change. Your eyes may burn and feel painful.
It is one of the most common eye conditions in Australia and affects millions of people. More than 85% of Australians have had symptoms at some point and about 1 in 5 of them have symptoms often.*
At George & Matilda Eyecare, our optometrists assess and manage dry eye disease with personalised, evidence-based care.
What causes dry eyes?
Several contributing causes include:
· Ageing: tear production naturally decreases with age, particularly after 40.
· Screen use: reduced blink rate when looking at digital devices leads to faster tear evaporation.
· Environmental factors: air conditioning, heating, wind, and low humidity all dry out the tear film.
· Constant contact lens wear: some lenses can reduce oxygen to the eye surface and disrupt the tear film.
·Hormonal changes: particularly during menopause.
· Medications: antihistamines, antidepressants, and blood pressure medications can reduce tear production.
· Autoimmune conditions: such as Sjogren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus.
·Eyelid conditions: poor eyelid closure or blepharitis (eyelid inflammation) disrupts the tear film.
What are the symptoms of dry eyes?
Symptoms vary widely between individuals. Common signs include:
· A gritty, scratchy, or foreign-body sensation in the eyes
· Burning or stinging
· Redness and irritation
· Blurry vision, especially when reading or using screens
· Sensitivity to light
· Discomfort when wearing contact lenses
· Watery eyes: a reflex response to produce tears triggered by irritation
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms consistently, it is important to have your eyes assessed. Dry eye disease can worsen over time if left untreated.
What are treatments for dry eyes?
Treatments vary depending on the cause and severity of your symptoms. Your optometrist will give you treatment options that are best suited to you.
Treatment options include a huge array of lubricating eye drops, gels, and ointments. However, these may provide short-term relief, they often don’t help with the discomfort of chronic, or long-term dry eye disease.
And while some types of dry eye improve with lubricant drops, long-term use can be hard, inconvenient, and costly.
Luckily there are now new, exciting treatment options are specifically for dry eye disease. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a precise light-based technology. IPL is TGA approved to treat severe meibomian-gland deficient (MGD) dry eye disease.
MGD is a common type of dry eye. It happens when the eyelid’s oil glands do not work well. This leads to poor-quality tears. These tears cannot protect the eyes from drying out.
How does Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy work?
In an Intense Pulsed Light or IPL therapy session, Your optometrist will adjust a pair of goggles onto your eyes while you relax. They will then use a handheld lamp with bright, targeted light on your lower eyelids.
This light stimulates the eye’s oil glands and helps them return to more normal function.
The IPL process itself is non-invasive and only takes a few minutes. People often feel improvement right away, but the effect builds over time. You may need several treatments, depending on your needs.
Selected George & Matilda Eyecare practices offer Dry Eye IPL treatment. Find a practice closest to you.
Frequently asked questions about dry eyes
What can dry eyes feel like?
Dry eyes can feel different for everyone. Some people notice a gritty, scratchy, or burning feeling. Others may have watery eyes, redness, tired eyes, or blurred vision that comes and goes. If your eyes often feel uncomfortable, it is a good idea to book an eye test.
Can watery eyes be a sign of dry eyes?
Yes, it sounds contradictory but it can be true. When the eyes feel irritated, they may produce extra tears as a response. These tears may not always provide lasting comfort, which is why the eyes can still feel dry or gritty even when they are watering.
Can contact lenses cause dry eyes?
Yes, some contact lens materials and how often you wear them can contribute to dry eye symptoms. If your lenses cause dryness, talk to your George & Matilda optometrist. Ask them about the best contact lenses for your symptoms and lifestyle.
Can screens cause dry eyes?
Screens can contribute to dry eyes because people often blink less when using digital devices. Less blinking can affect how tears spread across the eyes, making them feel dry, tired or irritated.
Can dry eyes be worse at certain times of the day?
Some people notice dry eye symptoms later in the day. This is common after screen use, reading, driving, or working in air-conditioned spaces. Eye comfort can also vary depending on your environment, daily routine and general health.
Book an eye test
Regular eye tests are vital for early diagnosis as many eye conditions may be symptom-free for some time.
Eye health changes with age, and early detection helps protect your vision for the years ahead.
Book your next eye test with your trusted local, independent optometrist.
